South Park Creators Slam Paramount Skydance Merger Over Delays Streaming Control
Trey Parker and Matt Stone call the Paramount Skydance merger a shitshow blaming it for delaying South Park Season 27 and interfering in streaming negotiations Legal threats escalate as the July 7 merger deadline approaches .
This Merger Is a Shitshow
Trey Parker and Matt Stone the outspoken creators behind South Park have blasted the pending Paramount Skydance merger as a shitshow claiming it is directly interfering with the shows rollout and streaming future .
Their sharp criticism followed the sudden twoweek delay of South Park Season 27 originally scheduled to premiere on July 9 but now postponed to July 23 The duo broke the news on the official South Park account on X formerly Twitter saying This merger is a s show and it is fucking up South Park .
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Delay Without Apology
Comedy Central made the scheduling change quietly with no formal explanation However Parker and Stone quickly went public pointing the finger at the corporate chaos tied to Paramounts merger with Skydance Media .
Despite the delay they reassured fans that production is still on track and that the episodes will get to see them somehow—a veiled hint at the growing behindthescenes conflict surrounding distribution rights .
Streaming Rights Under Siege
The creators frustration extends far beyond scheduling With the current streaming deal between South Park and Max formerly HBO Max expiring Parker and Stone have been exploring new platforms like Warner Bros Discovery and Netflix for future streaming .
- But they allege that Jeff Shell set to become president of the new Paramount Skydance entity is already meddling According to legal filings .
- Shell allegedly pressured Warner Bros Discovery to shorten their proposed deal from 10 years to 5 .
- He also insisted that Paramount receive a 12month exclusive window on new episodes before they can appear on other platforms .
- The creators believe these moves are designed to unfairly steer South Park back toward Paramount regardless of more lucrative or broader distribution opportunities elsewhere .
Legal Showdown Brewing
Park County the production company owned by Parker and Stone has formally accused Shell and the merging parties of unauthorized gunjumping misconduct—a term referring to premerger interference that is typically forbidden under federal law .
- In a letter addressed to Shell RedBird Capital and Skydance Media the creators legal team warned .
- If these activities continue we will have no choice but to act to both protect our rights and discharge any obligations we may have to the public .
- In response Skydance and RedBird have argued that the merger agreement explicitly gives them authority to approve material contracts ahead of closing—an assertion sources close to the deal have echoed .
Merger Timeline and Context
The Paramount Skydance merger valued at 8 billion was agreed upon on July 7 2024 Although initially expected to close in the first half of 2025 regulatory holdups particularly from the FCC have pushed the final deadline to July 7 2025 .
The deal would make Skydance CEO David Ellison the CEO of the merged entity with Jeff Shell assuming the role of president .
Stakes Rising
For Parker and Stone the stakes could not be higher A 2007 contract entitles them to 50 percent of South Parks digital streaming revenue indefinitely That deal has already proven lucrative HBO Max paid over 500 million for streaming rights in 2019 .
As the current contract nears its 2027 expiration new streaming offers could reach 2.5 billion The creators argue that splitting rights across platforms like Max Paramount and international markets could yield even more than a single massive deal from Netflix .
What Is Next
With production of South Park still underway the delay and corporate interference have created a public flashpoint between creators and conglomerates Key questions remain unanswered .
- Will the legal challenges derail the merger .
- Can new South Park episodes be released on time and across multiple platforms .
- Will the creators regain control over how and where their content is distributed .
Final Take
Trey Parker and Matt Stones raw and public frustration with the Paramount Skydance merger underscores a growing tension in the entertainment industry the battle between creative autonomy and corporate consolidation As July 23 draws near the fate of South Park and its massive streaming value hangs in the balance .